Coast Guard medevacs fisherman near Sitka

Posted: August 5, 2013 - 5:45pm | Updated: August 6, 2013 - 12:01am

JUNEAU EMPIRE

SITKA — A Coast Guard helicopter crew medevaced a 21-year-old fisherman from a fishing vessel Monday, according to a Coast Guard news release. The fisherman had injured his hand and arm using a winch on board.

An Air Station Sitka MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter hoisted the fisherman from 54-foot fishing vessel Jerilyn, 92 miles southeast of Sitka, the release stated. He was taken to Mt. Edgecumbe Hospital in Sitka for additional treatment by emergency medical personnel.

The master of the Jerilyn, now homeported in Hydaburg, requested the medevac Monday morning of Coast Guard 17th District Command Center watchstanders, the release stated. The watchstanders consulted the duty flight surgeon, who recommended the medevac and directed the launch of the Jayhawk crew. The crew was able to safely hoist the injured man into the helicopter and return to Sitka.

“This case illustrates the importance of having our hoist-capable Coast Guard helicopters available to respond during peak fishing seasons,” said Master Chief Petty Officer James Armstrong, a Coast Guard 17th District Command Center watchstander, in the release. “Our helicopter crew was able to get on scene and provide assistance in significantly less time than it would have taken the vessel to transit to Craig.”